Which Memphis Neighborhood Should You Move To?

civil pride runs deep in Memphis – grit and moil country – but , on a more micro level , Memphians also take extreme pride in their region . You ’ll find “ 38104tified ” ( Midtown ’s zippo code ) or “ Binghampton is Memphis ” bumper sticker on cars across the urban center . Now that you ’ve settle down on displace to Memphis , you ’ll require to resolve whether you ’re good - suited for our eclectic , improper Midtown , or the buttoned - up , suburban Cordova .

Midtown

This pelvis expanse in the city core – be intimate as the foul-smelling , artsy area – is perhaps the most various locality in Memphis . You ’ll find luxurious , historical homes with wraparound porches and imposing columns on one street , and rundown apartment just a few streets over . Midtowners are passionate ( and even a bit pretentious ) in their making love of the locality .

Who lives here : Hipsters , political progressives , aging hippies , and artists of all stripesAverage one - chamber rent:$650 / moBar and restaurant scene : Midtown is home to Overton Square , a far-out collection of bars and restaurants ranging from the put - back New Orleans - theme Bayou Bar & Grill to the classy Bar Louie , to the live music venue Lafayette ’s . You ’ll also find dive bar like The P&H Cafe , the Buccaneer , and The LampLighter filled with freshness toughie and artists . Midtown is have a go at it for having the most diverse food scene in the urban center . prove the Korean - style ramen at The Crazy Noodle , the fried tofu buffet at Pho Binh , the upscale Italian fare at Bari Ristorante , pizzas top with local meats and grow at the Trolley Stop Market , or the classic curries at Bhan Thai . Added fillip : Overton Park , often shout out the “ crown gem of Midtown , ” is a 342 - acre public park with a natural forest expanse , race lead , a dog park ( called Overton Bark ) , a lake , a golf class , the Levitt Shell amphitheater , and plenty of dark-green distance for picnics , Frisbee , soccer games , or simply hanging out on the grass .

Cooper-Young

This historic district is , perhaps , the most iconic vicinity in the city . It ’s definitely the hippest . The community is mostly residential , but its 1920s bungalows are bordered by a few colorful mom - and - pop music coffee tree shops , trendy restaurants , and bouncy neighborhood pubs .

Who be here : Young progressive family with Thomas Kid , creative person , hipsters , a palmy LGBTQ communityAverage one - bedchamber rent:$680 / moBar and restaurant scene : The relaxed vibe of Cooper - Young can be advantageously feel in its put - back pubs and casual eateries . There ’s veritable Irish taphouse Celtic Crossing ( stop in for brunch and get the Galway peewee & grits ) , cunning beer bar Hammer & Ale ( they ’ll permit you render before you bribe ) , prowess - school - kid resort Young Avenue Deli ( award - winning Gallic Roger Eliot Fry ) , and the craft beer taproom at Memphis Made Brewing Co. For a gourmet farm - to - tabular array meal , see out contemporaneous American eatery Sweet Grass , or get a taste of the Pacific Rim at Tsunami . The city ’s most democratic vegan dining car , Imagine Vegan Cafe , extend down - place , meat - free meals like “ chicken ” and waffles or vegan bacon cheeseburgers . Added bonus : The Cooper - Young Trestle , a 150ft - longsighted steel carving along an give up rails raceway , features tiny homes based on actual houses in the neighborhood . Artist Jill Turman created the piece in 2000 , and it has marked the entranceway to the ‘ cowl ever since .

Crosstown

An up - and - come arts territory rivet around the old Sears Crosstown headquarters . For yr , the monolithic 1.4 million - square - foot building sat vacant in the mall of the neighbourhood , but it ’s presently being renovated and rebranded into Crosstown Concourse , a Department of State - of - the - art aesculapian / arts / education eye . Since that project start out , a lively arts dominion has sprung up around the Concourse , and although some gentrification is clearly underway , the modest home of those who ’ve go in the domain for tenner have remained unmoved … for now .

Who dwell here : Young professional person , artist and musicians , lower - income families that have endure in the area for yearsAverage one - chamber rent:$650 / moBar and restaurant tantrum : hoi polloi come from all over the city to catch local and national punk / hardcore show every night at the Hi Tone ( and the tallboys of PBR are cheap ) . One of the metropolis ’s few remaining gay bar , The Pumping Station , is in Crosstown . The pizza pie at Midtown Crossing Grill ca n’t be all in , but they also serve vegan banh mi sandwich and Philly cheesesteaks . A dependable neck of the woods bar , Midtown Crossing also hosts art display and comedy nights boast local endowment . add up incentive : Crosstown is home to the urban center ’s only hula - hooping fitness studio . Co - Motion Studio offers lesson in hoop and sell light - up light-emitting diode hoops and all style of unicorn and cat leggings , course .

Downtown

A few stoppage from the calm quiet of the Mississippi River , you ’ll find the hustle and bustle of Downtown . During the day , the area is fill with office workers , but at night the neighbourhood transforms into a lively entertainment territorial dominion with eatery and bar brimming with local anesthetic and tourists .

Who lives here : Hip young professionals and empty homesteader who ’ve sell their suburban home plate in favour of condominium livingAverage one - bedchamber rent:$1,100 / moBar and restaurant shot : Downtown is home to the Beale Street Entertainment District , which is a scrap of a tourist bunker . But if you ’re look for a wild nighttime of saloon hopping , it really ca n’t be beat . Blues legal community like Rum Boogie Cafe and B.B. King ’s Blues Club are site alongside saltation gild , such as Club 152 , and Irish taphouse Silky O’Sullivan ’s , and the street is closed to vehicular dealings . For a more relaxed evening , snap up a seat on one of the many restaurant patio on the Main Street Mall . The Majestic Grille offers gamy - ending fare swear out in an previous converted movie house . Hit up Aldo ’s Pizza Pies for a slice and a cold one , or stop into DeJavu for a taste of New Orleans . add incentive : Beale Street Landing – a river sail gravy holder dock – offer wholesale views of the Mississippi from its notice deck . There ’s a vacation spot for the kids ( the only public playground Downtown ) , a gift workshop specialize in kitschy merchandise , and a restaurant and bar with a track terrace that ’s great for ( safely ) watching thunderstorms mishandle over the river .

Harbor Town

place on lilliputian Mud Island on the northerly edge of Downtown , Harbor Town is an eclectic appeal of upscale townhomes and condo overleap the Mississippi River .

Who lives here : Well - to - do young families and empty nestersAverage one - bedroom rent:$980 / moBar and restaurant scene : Harbor Town is relatively minor , so choice for dining and drinking are limited . That order , the area is somewhat separated from the rest of Downtown , so resident can be found watching the Grizzlies secret plan and feast on burgers at Tug ’s Casual Grill or enjoying a more sophisticated evening with handcrafted cocktail and continental - style fare at Paulette ’s . Neighborhood coffee workshop Cafe Eclectic serves gourmet burnt umber drinks and child’s play corner luncheon to enjoy at nearby Greenbelt Park . Miss Cordelia ’s Grocery hold basic grocery item , as well as topically made dry goods , a fine selection of craft beer , and grab - and - go deli foods . Added bonus : Harbor Town shares Mud Island with Mud Island River Park , a free public park featuring a 2,000ft - long scale replica of the Lower Mississippi River . Patrons can wade in the tiny river or ride paddle boat in the large “ Gulf of Mexico ” pool where the “ river ” ends .

South Main

Also known as the South Main Arts District , it ’s home to galleries , boutique , casual and upscale restaurants , and the urban center ’s largest granger marketplace . A novel crop of condominium have been pop up all over the south remainder in areas that were antecedently home to abandoned warehouses .

Who lives here : Wealthy millennials , former suburbanitesAverage one - chamber rent:$1,100 / moBar and restaurant scene : Much of the nightlife and dining attractions can be ascertain along South Main Street , which is home to the elegant Italian restaurant Spindini , the position - back South Main Sushi , Nipponese fusion hamburger joint Oshi , and The Arcade , a greasy spoonful that claims to be the metropolis ’s old continually run eating house . As for lachrymation pickle , there ’s Max ’s Sports Bar for the plot , Onix for a glass of ok wine , or Earnestine & Hazel ’s for sebaceous burgers , domesticated beer , and a jukebox that ’s rumored to be haunted ( it comes on by itself ) . Just a few blocks from South Main is Loflin Yard , a rustic outdoor taproom with a waterfall , a meat house , and barrel - senior cocktail . lend fillip : The last Friday of every calendar month is South Main Trolley Night , where gallery and workshop host artistic production receptions ( often with lashings of free snacks and wine ) and public parties .

Binghampton

This diverse neighborhood is dwelling house to the uber - rosehip Broad Avenue Arts District , the Hampline bike path , and a tight - knit residential district of low-spirited - income occupant .

Who lives here : Mostly low - income families , plus a handful of young , single millennials who have choose the country for its garish rentAverage one - bedroom rent:$550 / moBar and restaurant scene : Most of the dining and imbibition scene in the Hamp is concentrated along artsy Broad Avenue . sea robber - theme bar The Cove boasts a massive carte du jour of handcraft cocktail and oysters on the half eggshell . Maximo ’s on Broad is the place to go for ok wines and tapa , and Bounty dish up farm - to - mesa meals , all made without gluten . You ’d be fresh to start your day with a pour - over coffee berry at City & State . Just a few pulley down from the arts district , you ’ll regain Wiseacre Brewing Co. ’s super - silklike bar and the Rec Room , an adult arcade with strong drink , pizza , and “ living rooms ” complete with old time of origin play consoles ( Super Mario Bros. , anyone?).Added bonus : vicinity biotic community center Caritas Village , located in the centre of Binghampton , was establish to discover down the walls of ill will between slipstream and those in different income bracket . People from all walks of life story cumulate there at luncheon to break gelt with Caritas ’ popular computer menu of Warren E. Burger , Panini , and hot soup .

University District

The community fence Memphis ’ largest public university – the University of Memphis – is pullulate with activeness throughout the school year , but it ’s Highland Row ’s bars and eating place that attract frequenter twelvemonth - pear-shaped .

Who survive here : Mostly college students , some post - grad 20 - somethings who never forget the area after collegeAverage one - bedchamber rent:$513 / moBars and restaurant : The newly reforge Newby ’s – billed as “ the college streak you never graduate from ” – has been a Highland Row basic for year . maneuver there for pool and saloon grub . Shooters are discounted when trains pass by RP Tracks , a everyday variation bar best known for its BBQ tofu nachos ( pro tip : get the chips on the side ) . For something a trivial fancier , The Farmer pop the question a menu of seasonal dish made with local green goods and essence . Cafe Eclectic and Avenue Coffee sell gourmet burnt umber drinks that are perfect for pulling those all - nighters or just perking you up in the eventide . Brother Juniper ’s is arguably the most pop brunch office in the urban center . Arrive at least an minute before you plan on being hungry , as the weekend wait is excruciating . Added bonus : The Mediterranean Grocery on Park Ave boasts the city ’s largest excerption of imported Middle Eastern packaged foods , beauty products , and housewares . If you ’re in need of cardamon - spiced Turkish umber and the copper cezve to prepare it in , this is your space . You ’ll also get hold all sorts of hummus , stuff grape leaves , bulk Medjool dates , and freshly - baked pita .

East Memphis

This wide swath of neighborhoods on the eastern side of township boast quiet communities – mostly middle- to higher - income – filled with 1950s ranch - elan home . It ’s also where you ’ll rule the urban center ’s only Whole Foods store and many of the commercial-grade retail outlets absentminded from Downtown or Midtown .

Who live here : Well - to - do and in-between - income fellowship , folks with a wide mix of political views ( but you ’ll find more conservatives)Average one - bedchamber rent:$760 / moBar and restaurant panorama : Hog & Hominy , arguably East Memphis ’ most acclaimed restaurant , is a sea of whiskery guys in plaid . There you ’ll see upscale Italian / Southern American spinal fusion culinary art prepared by childhood best buds Andrew Ticer and Michael Hudman . You ’ll also see an telling extract of observational menage - made cocktails in the adjoining bar , the Holding Pen . At gourmet eatery Acre , chefs Wally Joe and Andrew Adams unite the flavors of Italy , Asia , and the American South . For a less classy evening , there ’s always karaoke at the Windjammer . And Patrick ’s has long been a casual hub for East Memphis residents to come across up over burgers and beers . Added incentive : The Shelby Farms Greenline – a 10.8 - mile rail - to - trails wheel and pedestrian way – runs through the gist of East Memphis and link up up with the 4,500 - Akko Shelby Farms Park .

Cordova

Residential areas in this muted suburban area offer a mix of mid - sized and monolithic place , as well as sprawling ‘ burb - dash apartment complexes .

Who lives here : family avoiding inner - urban center schools , suburbanites , middle - income residents who were priced out of similarly sized , more expensive home in MidtownAverage one - chamber rent:$750 / moBar and restaurant scene : As with most suburb , chains reign in Cordova . The Flying Saucer Emporium – a regional bar chain – offers the turgid selection of beer on draft of anywhere in the city , while the Fox & Hound ( another chain ) is the place to go for brews and billiards . As for eats , the topically have Casbah Restaurant make a mean baba ganoush , and Chang ’s Bubble Tea bid both boba and a full menu of Asiatic delights . The Butcher Shop offer Graeco-Roman American chophouse ambiance and all manner of boeuf cuts . And of course you ’ll find the common suspects : O’Charley ’s , Applebee ’s , Chili ’s , and On The Border , among other predictables . Added bonus : promenade may be a become flat breed , but the Wolfchase Galleria in Cordova is still alive and kicking . This two - news report mall has all the shops you ’ll ever need , plus there ’s a working carousel in the food court .

Downtown Memphis